The Durham Public Schools Board of Education swore in new leaders this week, naming its chair and vice chair for the 2026-27 school year.
Read more NC law extends parental leave to 12 weeks for state employees
Monday morning, Joy Harrell Goff, who was elected to the Board of Education in 2024 as an at-large member, was named chairwoman of the board.
Xavier Cason, an educator and returning former school board member elected in 2025, was named the board’s vice-chairman.
Goff secured the position in a 5-2 vote. She succeeds Bettina Umstead, who lost her re-election bid to new board member Nadeen Bir in May.
Goff has been an educator for over 20 years, which includes 13 years as a K-12 music teacher. She is the executive director of BUMP: The Triangle, a youth arts program based in Durham.
Read more Aftermath of July 4 ‘teen takeover’ and Raleigh water restrictions: Monday’s top stories
Cason was unanimously chosen after being nominated for the vice-chair role by Millicent Rogers, who previously served in that role. He is a returning member of the school board, having served from 2016-20, and a longtime educator in Durham. He is also the Durham Public Schools Foundation senior manager.
Before the leadership votes, three new members who won their seats during the 2026 election were officially sworn in to the seven-member school board. They will serve for the next for years.
The school board members serve different districts in Durham. Four members are elected from specific districts, two are elected from consolidated districts, and one member is elected at-large.
For the next year, the school board will now consist of members:
Neither of the new leaders made remarks about their positions during Monday’s meeting. Instead, they immediately jumped into business, ending with a request to review the salaries for year-round educators.
Read more ‘Love Island USA’ Star Is Told She’s ‘Always’ Hooking Up in the Villa